Circuit controls including loadresponsive switch



April 11, 1967 R. J. GORSKY 3,313,897

CIRCUIT CONTROLS INCLUDING LOAD-RESPONSIVE SWITCH Filed July 30, 1965 I N VENTOR. 95 azdo vzz 6ozwy ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,313,897 CIRCUIT CONTROLS INCLUDING LOAD- RESPGNSIVE SWITCH Rudolph J. Gorsky, Fenton, Mich, assignor to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich, a corporation of Delaware Filed July 30, 1965, Ser. No. 476,056

13 Claims. (Cl. 200-6139) This invention relates to circuit controls for electrically energizable components and more particularly to a circuit control including a linkage-mounted, load-responsive control switch actuated by linkage apply load to allow component energization.

In modern automobile practice numerous electrical circuits are employed for operating various components on the vehicle. Among these are circuits for controlling vehicle anti-creep devices, including mechanisms for switching the pitch of the transmission torque converter stator blades. Such mechanisms generally include a solenoid which, when activated by completion of electrical circuitry, controls a valve which, in turn, controls a motor mechanism to move the stator blades to high-angle, anti-creep position. On deenergization of such solenoids the stator blades are returned to their low-angle position. Prior to the present invention the controls for such circuitry included switching mechanisms responsive to position of throttle valve control linkage. Upon release of the accelerator pedal, the throttle valve control linkage returns to idle position by action of the throttle-return spring and actuates the switching mechanism. However, in some cases when the carburetor is on cold idle cam, the switch-actuating position would not be reached by the linkage. Since the control circuitry was thus not completed the stator blades would remain in low-angle position. Furthermore such controls, being dependent upon precise relative positions, were difiicult to properly install, adjust and replace and required frequent maintenance adjustment. Improper installation sometimes resulted in premature, late or no switching-of-the-pitch of the converter stator blades, detracting from the vehicle anti-creep feature, otherwise provided.

This invention features a switch combined with throttle-valve operating linkage connected by sliding pivot structure which responds to predetermined load or force exerted by the throttle-return spring through the throttle rod link on contact with idle stopto control accessory circuitry.

An object of this invention is to provide a new and improved pressure-responsive circuit control.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved pressure-responsive circuit control in which the throttle valve control linkage, when actuated by the return force of the throttle return spring, actuates a switching mechanism to complete a circuit controlling an accessory,

Another object of this invention is to provide in a vehicle a circuit control for switching the pitch of a variable pitch stator of a torque converter. This control includes a switch mounted on a throttle lever link of a carburetor throttle valve control linkage which is actuated by predetermined return force of throttle-return spring as applied through the throttle rod when the carburetor is on hot or cold idle cam.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description "and drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view illustrating the circuit control of this invention as applied to throttle-valveactuating linkage;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged side view of a portion of the linkage of FIGURE 1;

3,313,897 Patented Apr. 11, 1967 FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken generally along the lines 33 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a view partly in section taken generally along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3, and

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 illustrating actuation of the linkage-mounted switch of this invention.

FIGURE 1 of the drawings discloses a conventional carburetor 10 mounted on engine 12 which has a throttle valve (not shown) operatively connected to valve lever- 14 by shaft 16. The valve lever 14 is turned and the throttle valve is opened by operator force being applied to conventionally-mounted accelerator pedal 18, and transmitted by connecting linkage system 20. This linkage system includes a first elongated crank member 22 having roller members 24 and 26 forming contact members for the underside of the accelerator pedal. The crank member is pivotally mounted in a bracket member 28 which is secured to vehicle panel structure 30 by suitable bolts 32. A throttle lever 34 is integrally connected to an end of the crank member which extends through suitable openings in the bracket 28 and turns with respect to a horizontal axis defined by the center of these openings.

As best shown in FIG. 1, the throttle lever 34 extends upwardly and is received in the clevis 36 of an elongated throttle rod 33 which is connected by a suitable pivot 40 to rotate the valve lever 14 and shaft 16. The throttle lever is connected to the throttle rod clevis 36 by a special connection 42 which provides for actuation of a switch 44 mounted on the throttle lever which will be further described below.

.As best shown in FIG. 3, the connection includes a headed pin 46 whose shank projects through suitable openings 47 in the spaced arms forming the clevis which provides a close fit. Pin 46 is retained in the clevis by its head and by cotter pin 48. A shouldered, sleeve-like bushing 50 has an internal diameter to be closely accommodated on the shank portion of the pin, as illustrated. This bushing is preferably formed from a suitable wearresistant, anti friction material, such as nylon or Teflon. A rubber or elastomeric sleeve 52 may be installed on this bearing to form a seat for cylindrical steel sleeve bushing 54, As illustrated, the bushing 54 has an outwardly projecting annular contact flange 56 for a purpose described below. A suitable washer 58 is mounted between the sleeve 52 and the end of the bushing 54, providing a close fit between these elements.

The connection 42 provides a contact assembly which extends through an enlarged circular opening 60 formed in the end of the throttle lever 34. This opening is larger in diameter than the external diameter of the bushing 54 to provide a clearance shown at 62 in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5. This clearance provides for lost motion or relative movement between the contact assembly and the throttle lever and permits the contact flange 56 to operate switch 44 which will be hereinafter described.

The switch may be of any practical design and may be mounted on the upper portion of the throttle lever by suitable mounting bolts 64 and 66, and nut members 65. An enlarged opening 67 is provided in level 34 for bolt 66 for switch adjustment purposes later described. The switch includes a switch actuator 68 which is pivoted by pin 70 to a support 72 secured to the body 73 of the switch. The switch also includes suitable plunger 74 which extends down into the body of the switch and is operatively connected to and electrically insulated from movable contact leaf 76 located within the body of the switch. This leaf includes contact 77 disposed on the free end thereof and is normally biased by spring 78 so that contact 77 does not touch contact 89 connected to lead 82. The second lead 84 is connected to a terminal portion $5 of the leaf member. A suitable coil spring 86 is seated in the .body of the switch member and biases the actuator 68 out of contact with the plunger 74.

As best shown in FIG. 1, a conventional throttle return spring 87 is connected between a projecting portion 89 for-med in the upper part of the lever 34 and a bracket member 88 fastened to the panel structure 30 located prefera blybelow the bracket 28.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5 the actuator 68 may be formed with an extension 90 which threadedly receives an adjustable stop screw 92. This screw is adapted to bottom on an upper flange portion 94 of the switch to prevent over-travel of the switch actuator 68 increasing switch durability and to assist in the switch adjustment procedure.

With the throttle linkage at closed-throttle position and with the throttle-return spring attached, the switch-attaching bolts 66 and 64 are loosened. The body of the switch 44 is rotated counterclockwise about bolt 64 in the direction of the curved arrow in FIGURE 2 until the switch stop screw 92 bottoms against surface 94. The switch is held in this position and the attaching bolts are tightened, spring 78 is compressed and contacts 77 and 80 are engaging. It will also be appreciated that the switch position on the throttle lever can be correctly set and secured as a bench operation prior to the time the linkage is installed in the vehicle. As will appear below, switch 44 controls a circuit which includes leads 82 and 84 and allows a source, such as battery 96, to energize a component such as stator pitch control solenoid 98.

Upon release of the accelerator by the vehicle operator, the throttle-return spring will pull downwardly on the throttle lever, turning it and connected crank member 22 in a counterclockwise direction on the pivot axis provided by support bracket 28. This moves the throttle rod to the left to turn the valve lever and the valve-actuating rod counterclockwise, which closes the throttle valve for engine idle. As the valve lever 14 rotates closing the throttle valve, a stop 100 mounted on the carburetor housing or a conventional thermostatically-controlled hot or cold idle cam is contacted by the valve lever or other structure secured to shaft 16 stopping the movement of rod 38 and the amount of throttle-valve closure.

Up until this point contact spring 86 plus spring 78 prevents the actuator 68 from depressing plunger 74. After the stop point has been reached by rod 38, the spring 86 will be overcome on application of a predetermined force, 20 ounces for example, and the clearance 62 between bushing 54 and lever 34, as shown in FIG. 4,

will be taken up. The actuator 68, when moved by pre determined force applied through contact flange 56 and lever 34, will depress plunger 74 to make the circuit actuating the solenoid, or other mechanism, to switch the pitch of the converter blades to their high-angle, antivehicle-creep position. FIG. 5 discloses the switch as actuated by contact flange 56 and with the clearance 62 on the opposite side of the bushing 54 as compared to FIG. 4.

Thus when there is no load on the accelerator pedal the throttle rod return spring reacts through the throttle rod attached to the carburetor. This imposes a compressive load on the throttle rod of sufficient magnitude to actuate the switch secured to the throttle lever thereby clos ing the electric circuit.

When a load is applied to the accelerator pedal, the throttle-return spring reaction is through the accelerator pedal and is removed from the throttle rod. A predetermined load (eg, 3 lbs.) is required-to fully overcome the throttle-return spring. When a a lesser load (eg. 2 lbs.) is applied at the accelerator pedal, it will start moving and clearance 62 of FIG. 5 will appear as clearance 62 of FIG. 4. Spring 78 moves plunger 74 so that the contacts 77 and 80 are separated deenergizing solenoid 98. Spring 86 facilitates this movement by moving actuator 68 counterclockwise. Since the switch has now broken the electric circuit before the carburetor throttle valve has started to move, the pitch of the stator blades has been changed from high to low angle before opening of the throttle valve. A stop such as full throttle stop 10]. limits the opening of the throttle valve.

Applicants structure defined by rod 38 and lever 34 from two sides of a triangular linkage connected together by a slidable pivot connection which enables predetermined return force of spring 87 to overcome the combined retarding action of springs 86 and 78. This pressureresponsive circuit control is thus not dependent on precise position of the linkages and the stator control solenoid will be energized even when the carburetor is on cold cam.

Although a specific operative embodiment of my invention has been shown and described, it will be appreciated that my invention is not to be limited by that construction but to that which is hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. Circuit control structure comprising first and second operator members, pivot means for pivotally supporting each of said members, coupling means slidably and pivotally connecting adjacent end portions of said members together, said last-mentioned means including an actuator, switch means supported by one of said mem-- bers, spring means for turning one of said members on its pivot means, switch operating means responsive to predetermined force exerted through said actuator on relative movement between one of said members and said switch means.

2. Circuit control mechanism comprising first and second movable link members, pivot means supporting said first link member, coupling means slidably and pivotally connecting adjacent end portions of said link members to each other, said last-mentioned means including an actuator, means for turning said first link member on said pivot means, switch means supported by one of said link members immediate the ends thereof, lever means for operating said switch means, said lever means being responsive to a predetermined force exerted through said actuator to operate said switch means on the turning of said first link member.

3. In a circiut control, a pair of rotatably mounted link members, an electric switch, means adjustably mounting said switch on one of said link members, said switch including a spring-biased rotatable lever, a plunger adapted to be contacted by said lever to close said switch, an actuator mounted on the other link member, coupling means slidably and pivotally connecting adjacent end portions of said link members to each other and permitting linear movement of said actuator member relative to one of said link members, spring means for biasing one of said link members with respect to a center of rotation, said lever being responsive to a predetermined reaction force exerted by said actuator to depress said plunger.

4. In a circuit control, elongated links, a lever member operative to rotate one of said links about a pivot and linearly move the other of said links, an electric switch mounted on one of said links, said switch including a spring-biased actuator lever, a plunger adapted to be contacted by said lever to close said switch, an actuator mounted on the other of said links, pivot means slidably and pivotally connecting adjacent end portions of said links together and permitting linear movement of said actuator member relative to one of said links, spring means for biasing one of said links with respect to a center of rotation, and said lever being responsive to predetermined actuator force to actuate said plunger.

5. In a circuit control, first and second elongated links, a lever member operative to rotate said first link about a pivot and linearly move said second link, a controlvalve lever operatively connected to an end portion of said second link, an electric switch mounted on said first link, said switch including a movable spring-biased actuator lever, a plunger adapted to be contacted by said lever to close said switch, an actuator mounted on said second link, coupling means slidably and pivotally connecting adjacent end portions of said link members together permitting linear movement of said actuator member relative to one of said first links, spring means for biasing said first link with respect to a center of rotation, said actuator lever being responsive to a predetermined force exerted by said spring means to actuate said plunger and close said switch.

6. In combination, first and second link members, first means slidably and pivotally connecting said link members together, second means spaced from said first means pivotally supporting said first link member, third means spaced from said first means pivotally supporting said second link member, said first, second and third means describing the apices of a triangle, biasing means for turning said first link member on'said second means, contact means for opposing sliding movement of said first means on turning of said first link member, said biasing means exerting a predetermined force on said contact means causing said first means'to move said contact means, a switch member operated by said contact means, an electric circuit controlled by movement of said contact means.

7. In combination, first and second link members, first means slidably and pivotally connecting said link members together, second means spaced from said first means pivotally supporting said first link member, third means spaced from said first means pivotally supporting said second link member, said third means including a lever having predetermined limits of rotation, said first, second and third means describing the apices of a triangle, biasing means for turning said first link member on said second means, contact means for opposing sliding movement of said first means on turning of said first link member, and biasing means exerting a predetermined force on said contact means causing said first means to move said contact means, a switch member operated by said contact means, an electric circuit controlled by movement of said contact means.

8. In combination, throttle valve control linkage including first and second link members, means rotatably supporting said first link member, a throttle valve actuator lever having predetermined limits of rotation, means pivotally connecting said second link member to said throttle valve actuator lever, a member connecting said link members together, a sleeve supported by saidmember, said first link having an enlarged opening receiving said sleeve and having dimensions to provide clearance between said sleeve and the portions of said link forming the opening, a contact member carried by said sleeve, a switch supported by said first link member, said switch including an actuator arm for operating said switch, a return spring for biasing said actuator arm in a direction to oppose actuation of said switch, throttle return spring for rotating said first link in one rotational direction to move said second link and thereby rotate said throttle valve actuator lever to a limit of rotation, said first link then being slidable relative to said sleeve to enable said actuator to rotate said actuator arm on application of a predetermined force thereto to close said switch, an electric circuit, said switch being operative to complete or break said circuit, an accessory operating means energized by completion of said circuit.

9. In combination, throttle valve control linkage including first and second link members, means rotatably supporting said first link member, crank means for rotating said first link in one rotational direction, pedal operatively connected to said crank means, a throttle valve actuator lever having predetermined limits of rotation, means connecting said second link member to said throttle valve actuator lever to enable said second link to rotate said lever, said second link having a clevis, a pin member extending through said clevis for connecting said link members together at an apex, a sleeve supported by said pin member, said first link having an enlarged opening receiving said sleeve and being of dimensions to provide clearance between said sleeve and the portions of said first link forming the opening therein, a contact member carried by said sleeve, a switch supported by said first link member, means adjustably mounting said switch on said first link member, said switch including a pivoted actuator arm for operating said switch, a return spring for biasing said actuator arm in a direction to oppose actua tion 'of said switch, a throttle return spring for biasing said first link in one rotational direction to move said second link and thereby rotate said lever to a limit of rotation, said first link then being slidable relative to said actuator to enable said actuator to apply a predetermined reaction force to said actuator arm to close said switch, an electric circuit, said switch being operative to complete or break said circuit, an accessory operating solenoid energized by completion of said circuit.

10. In combination, throttle valve control linkage including first and second link members having intersecting longitudinal axes, means rotatably supporting said first link member, a rotatable throttle valve actuator lever having predetermined limits of rotation, means pivotally connecting said second link member to said throttle valve actuator lever, a coupling member connecting adjacent end portions of said link member together, said coupling including a cylindrical sleeve, said first link having an enlarged circular opening receiving said sleeve and being of a dimension to provide clearance between the periphery, said sleeve and the portions of said first link forming the opening, a contact member carried by said sleeve, a switch supported by said first link member, said switch including an actuator arm for operating said switch, a return spring for biasing said actuator arm in a direction to oppose actuation of said switch by said actuator arm, a throttle return spring operatively connected to said first link for rotating said first link in one rotational direction to move said second link and thereby rotate said lever to its limit of rotation, said first link when rotated by said return spring enables said actuator to rotate actuator arm to close said switch on application of a force sufficient to overcome said first-mentioned spring, an electric circuit controlled by operation of said switch, an accessory operating means energized by completion of said circuit.

11. In combination, a valve control linkage, said linkage including a rotatable lever and a link member, means slidably and pivotally connecting adjacent end portions of said lever and said member, said means including a sleeve member supported by said link member, said lever having an opening therein substantially larger than the dimensions of said sleeve member receiving said sleeve member, a valve operator member rotatably connected to the other end of said link member, said lever member being rotatable in response to an apply force to move said link member and said valve operator member in one direction, return spring means secured to an end portion of said lever to rotate said lever and move said link member and said valve operator member in an opposite direction when the return force of said spring exceeds said apply force, stop means for limiting movement of said link member'in response to return spring force to allow sliding movement between said sleeve member and said lever, a switch having a movable switch actuator arm, means biasing said actuator arm against the sliding movement of said sleeve member relative to said lever, said last-mentioned means being overcome by a predetermined force exerted by said return spring.

12. In combination, a valve control linkage including a lever member, means rotatably supporting one end of said lever member, the other end of said lever having an enlarged opening therein, an arm, means secured to said arm extending through the opening in said lever member and connecting said lever member with the end of said arm, said opening being of greater dimensions than said connecting means to provide clearance therebetween, a return spring connecting one end of said lever member and said first-mentioned means for rotating said lever member in one direction, means for limiting rotation of said lever member by said return spring, a switch for controlling a circuit, said switch including a switch actuator arm, means adjustably mounting said switch on said lever member near the opening therein, said switch being positioned on said lever when rotated to its limited position by said return spring by rotating the body of said switch until said switch is actuated by said second-mentioned means, and crank means for rotating said lever member expanding said return spring thereby allowing said switch actuator arm to break the circuit controlled by said switch.

13. In combination, first and second linkage members, a support, means supporting said first member for limited rotation on said support, pivot means connecting adjacent end portions of said member together for relative sliding movement and pivotal movement, a control connected to and operated by said second member, means for rotating said first member in one direction to thereby move said second member in one direction and actuate References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,474,739 11/1923 Thomas 20061.89 X 2,492,340 12/ 1949 Winkler 200-61.9

FOREIGN PATENTS 594,575 3/ 1960 Canada.

BERNARD A. GILHEANY, Primary Examiner.

I. J. BAKER, Assistant Examiner. 

1. CIRCUIT CONTROL STRUCTURE COMPRISING FIRST AND SECOND OPERATOR MEMBERS, PIVOT MEANS FOR PIVOTALLY SUPPORTING EACH OF SAID MEMBERS, COUPLING MEANS SLIDABLY AND PIVOTALLY CONNECTING ADJACENT END PORTIONS OF SAID MEMBERS TOGETHER, SAID LAST-MENTIONED MEANS INCLUDING AN ACTUATOR, SWITCH MEANS SUPPORTED BY ONE OF SAID MEMBERS, SPRING MEANS FOR TURNING ONE OF SAID MEMBERS ON ITS PIVOT MEANS, SWITCH OPERATING MEANS RESPONSIVE TO PRE- 